Thanks heaps. I'm really excited and had to show off my new 'toy' lolQuote:
Originally Posted by TheFlyingBadger
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Thanks heaps. I'm really excited and had to show off my new 'toy' lolQuote:
Originally Posted by TheFlyingBadger
And so you should be - that's what it's all about!! Personally, I love seeing others setups etc - not even for additions to mine necessarily, but Hempo as an example has a cabin on the back of his BT50 and is always looking for additions.Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
Top stuff and can't wait to see it (and you of course!! lol) in the flesh at the meetup!!!
Not too much flesh though mate, I'm still getting over the painted on shorts lmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by Bigrig
Great stuff Rossco, welcome to the solar club, plenty of power from those panels mate should be completely self sufficent. What regulator are you using ?
Thanks for the encouragement. I’m excited.
This is my set up….so far.
I know squat about solar and am waiting from the rep from BP solar to ring me up and tell me what I need.
I need to know what I need from start to finish (operational) down to the last nut, bolt and screw.
Any help or advice would be appreciated. (brands, ect)
At the moment, I intend to put the two panels, ontop of my roof, where there’s plenty of room.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...olarpics-1.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...arpanel001.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...arpanel002.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...arpanel003.jpg
Thanks.
Ross
There's many ways to go about it mate but my suggestions are as follows.
1 the black boxes on the back of the panels are what collects the solar energy to power throgh cable to your regulator. So using 6-8 mm twin cable connected to the + & - of the box [connect both panels together through the boxes or my suggestion run each panel seperately] then get a good quality solar regulator 30 amp i suggest.[steca or prostar].
2 run the cables from panels to the solar connection on the regulator together
3 run a similar size cable from the battery/batteries to the battery connection on the regulator
4 your solar system is done.
Hints= I would put a anderson style connection at each panel so the panels can be removed easily if you need to work on the system at any stage. Also mount your regulator in a protected area away from weather. Also pay the extra money & get a good reg with a lcd display so you can track what the batts, panels & amps in & out are doing.
Hope this helps mate.
pm me your phone number if you need more help.
Thanks heaps. Got a couple of expenses to finish paying first then I'll start.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuf 42
Will one regulator do the both panels or do I need 2 regulators - 1 for each panel?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuf 42
Thanks.
I'm out on a limb here, Plassy. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Plasnart
Like Kelvin said, one reg (30amp rated) the should be fine if you link the panels together...Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
Then will be all sweet lol
Attachment 3186
2x40 work a treat on the big waeco
one regulator, connect both panels to that regulator at the same connection.Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
Sorry my fault for not reading the thread properly. Fletcha has already given me a rocket for me not wearing my glasses. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Tuf 42
No worries mate good luck with it.
Ross
Seeing as you've had a panel out of the box, and I haven't as of yet...
What is the rigidity of the panels along the "long" side like? I'm thinking about mounting them using the short side, and i'm wondering whether i'll need to brace them along the longer side as well?
Jon
I'll let you know in the next day or so. It's just finished bicketing down here.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheFlyingBadger
cheers :beer:Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
nice rig mate awesome stuff
Here's what Cuppa wanted to know.
Because I'm a caring and sharing person, I'll let you all in on it. lol
Hey Cuppa,
These are the numbers on the side of my driver's door.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt018.jpg
Don't know if yours are the same, but check your rego papers. That should tell you.
Carrying water... The one underneath the back left hand side of the tray is always full. I've got 2 x 20 lt jerry cans and I went to BCF and got 5 x 20lt hard plastic ‘carriers’ that fold up when not needed (about $13-15 each, from memory).
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt006.jpg
I’ve really only put my truck to the test once, but found that I didn’t need to carry all the water straight up. I could have filled up with ‘free water’ about 20k’s from my camping spot. So I guess what I am saying is to do your homework before you go camping – research on the web and from local knowledge – if you can – about where you can top up with free water. Every little bit of weight accounts for every drop of fuel.
Mirrors - what you see is what I got. ATM, I’ve added nothing. I need a reversing camera.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt015.jpg
I always reverse park at work for a quick getaway, but I’ve hit the back fence a few times. Main cause is the rain has beaded on the back cab window, the rear window and window on the l/h side of the pod.
I’d love a night time vision monitor. Minimum is I’m gunna get a decent reverse/work light.
Storage for my 1.25lt gas bottles – eventually
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt007.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt008.jpg
Battery charger
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt010.jpg
Roof solar panels…..not hooked up and still in the packing box
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt004.jpg
This is the solar panels with the pod doors fully open
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt005.jpg
The panels slightly impinge on the roof hinges, but nothing that a 2 inch lift won’t sort out. Lol
The back of the panel
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt002.jpg
The spare tyres can be used for anything that you want them to be. I stick solar lights on them and if there’s only 1 tree around, tie your clothes line to the back tyre and the other end to a tree and you have a clothes line or a hoochie.
The back wheel is held on the back by a long ‘screw’ and ‘screws’ into the back and is held in tact by a padlock
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt014.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...grunt012-1.jpg
My fridge - Evakool - 95lt
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...lfridge003.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...lfridge005.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...lfridge007.jpg
The fridge/freezer divider
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...lfridge004.jpg
Well that’s about it for the mo, peeps. Hehehehe
Take care out there.
Ross
DX grunt
Thats a good set up now Rossco!!!
Do you get discounts on the Rossco machine becuase you have the same name...lol
Getting there AB - and unfortunately, no. Seeing those pics have actually made me excited.Quote:
Originally Posted by AB
Gotta pay a couple of bills before I start modding any more.
Kelvin's given me a great starting point.
notice that you are going to mount the solar on the pod good idea mate
2'' lift is needed to help keep them cool
I don't know if it's best to put them facing front to back or side to side ( I nearly said horizontal or vertical. lol). Might be able to make use of the gutters.Quote:
Originally Posted by roofy
The people at BP solar still haven't got back to me. I wonder if they have a standard type of securing arrangement for their panels? I'm a bit cheezed coz it was well over a week ago. I'll have to chase it up.
Ross
front to back looks neater==the holes under the panel ,you can put bolt&nut there and onto a roof bar x3Quote:
Originally Posted by dx grunt
This might sound a real dumb@r$E question, but if I face my truck north/south and the panels face east west, will it be more beneficial., or do I face my truck east west?Quote:
Originally Posted by roofy
'They (?) recommend when you buy a house, it faces north/south and the sun obviously goes east/west.
you can park it where the sun shines best,lol
Hey Ross, next time yer up Mandurah way, call in and I'll see what we can do for a rear light bracket.
Rod.
Will do.Quote:
Originally Posted by the ferret
I was in Perth last week and drove past Mandurah twice! Doh.
Oh well next time.
Ross
Roofy's right, a gap under the panels will keep them cooler & as a consequence will make them more effective - output is reduced by heat.
Also make sure when you mount them that you have them at a bit of an angle, not dead flat. Helps rain run off & stops it pooling in the middle of the panel.
Thanks for the weight info.
I think those mirror extensions are 'stock', & reckon one of mine is missing.
My rear vision cameras arrived today - 4 days from China - pretty fast I thought - feel like a quality item.
regards
Cuppa
Sorry Rossco, highjacking this for a wee bit...lol...Let us know how you go with the cameras Cuppa, would be interested to see how they work, picture quality, etc....
Please explain, what have i done ?Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
Nominating two different brands of regulators. I had the panels, now I need to know what to do from here, but you've given me heads up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuf 42
Thanks.
Ross
Roofy's got it.Quote:
Originally Posted by roofy
Hint for mounting, go to your local ally fab guy & get some 50x25 & 25x25 ally box cut approx 100mm longer than your panels. Mount the panels to the ally [50x25 one side & 25x25 the other] than mount through the ally to the pod through the extra ally at each as you won't be able to reach the bolts on the panels at this stage.
No worries, Let me know if i can help you further mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
Rossco, is there any chance of a quick little product review on your Evakool Fridge mate?
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2011/04/15.jpg
Just chatting to a guy at BCF today and he mentioned how they keep stuff colder for longer then the Waecos and was just curious of your thoughts, Pros and Cons, etc.
They are pretty big units but for the price and they can hold a ship load!!!
I can move this to It's own thread after you reply if you want too mate.
Truck is coming along nicely mate, keep the pics coming lol...
I haven't heard much on the everkool fridge so be good to hear your thoughts on it like AB said
Nice ride mate!
Mate of mine runs a local TJM store & swears by Evakool [they make the icemate fridge & there own ]. The fiberglass evakool is supposed to be more efficent than the plastic icemate, according to him.Quote:
Originally Posted by big_fletch
Quote:
Originally Posted by AB
I bought my fridge from...
http://www.australiandirect.com.au/p...39bd2677a4caec
Have a good look, he even does a video.
I'm pretty sure this guy is from Adelaide, but it was shipped from Queensland during the later stages of the floods and it arrived on the date they said it would be here. I'm impressed – given the circumstances QLD was enduring.
I love it. It's the 95lt version and it's big - very big. Converts to fridge or freezer or both. 5 yr warranty. In yrs 3, 4, and 5, you have to get it serviced and the serviced card needs to be signed off by an authorized dealer.
I accidently knocked mine and it fell from the pod onto the ground. It was empty and landed on the motor end.
One corner has a slight 'compression mark' on the plastic, but it still works fine. I probably voided my warranty, but I'll still follow protocols.
I was spewing!! I guess it was either slippery on the bottom, or it was wet and slid on the white paint, or when I knocked it, I gave it a good heave ho- without realizing it.
I had it going for about 10hrs a day, for 12 days, on a 750w – 2 stroke generator and went through about 5lts of fuel a day. Lowest temp mine got was about -16 to -18, and my son in law's smaller Engel got to about -20.
It does take quite a while to get really cold, so I followed Plassy's advice and turned it on a couple of days before and made sure everything that needed to be frozen was put in there frozen. Saves heaps of time and 12v power. No problems with power when plugged into my 12v in the pod - except when I stop my truck. Still gotta sort the 12v out, but it works fine.
More than happy with the free shipping. It would have cost me at least $50-$60 in fuel to collect it in person, but it was delivered to my home town via courier truck. Very impressed.
It is very tall, and I can’t open the lid fully in the pod. That’s my only gripe. I would like to see a white handled grip on the opposite end to the motor. That would be nice. The plastic moulded one is quite acceptable.
At the campsite, I put it on a table, to keep it out of the sand. Recommended that nothing is within 5cm of fan motor - to allow air in/out. Turned it off at night and temp rose to above 0 deg, but just turned it on in the morning and it didn't take long to cool down again.
I've only taken it on the one camping trip, and initially I was 'challenged' but as I became more confident with it, the more I liked it. Can’t wait to set it up on solar and a deep cycle battery.
There is a slider for the Evakool range from this guy, but I’m not sure if it will hold a fully loaded 95lt fridge. From memory, I think the slide could hold up to 80kg. You’ll have to check it out. I just strap mine down in the back.
Here’s the link from MySwag.org for more reviews
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=11609.0
If you want to start a thread on ‘Fridge/freezers’, feel free to use the info I have provided.
Copy/paste away.
Take care out there.
Ross
DX grunt
another tip that we do is wrap our frozen goods in a couple of sheets of news paper
works a treat